Consistent oil level readings......NOT

[turboflyer]

Is there some recall, magic fix or mod to get the oil level to read the same after the same shut down time, every time. I thought letting her sit over night would ensure accuracy, does not appear to be true.

[roger albert]

very old topic, and sure, an annoying issue.

The least inaccurate method involves parking it on the sidestand for about 30 minutes after shutdown, and then putting her up on the centerstand. Personally, I find 10 or 15 minutes to be universally enough, while some advocate overnight. Do what works for you, timing wise, but the sidestand-sit-centerstand routine usually works for most of us. In the meantime, don't overfill.

[turboflyer]

What happens in the over fill scenario. The crank is way up there so not sure what would foam the oil? Does something else get blocked, breather? The reason I asked the original question is there is just no consistency.

[1100s nut]

Turbo, I think the key is...and I have owned 3 of these...and its the same with them all is to, ride long/far enough for the engine to be completely at operating temp. and then put on side stand 5-10 minutes and check it. Mine is the same everytime. When I ride to our pool 1/8 mile and then back it can sit for 2 days and it will read very low. I believe there is a check valve or thermostat that causes this.... I guess.

Lane

[turboflyer]

I will give it a try. I usually put her on the rear stand just to make more room by the car. I will try that next time, tilt her up and see. I can only guess then that it must let the oil cooler and lines drain out by uncorking one side, maybe. What about over fill. A no no in most engines but if the crank is not in the pan what then?

[bradzdotcom]

things you can do:
#1. ride it a short distance so the oil in the cooler doesn't even come down, then panic and overfill it.
#2. put on centerstand when at riding temp, check oil, and overfill it.
#3. think you see NO oil when the oil window is actually full...and overfill it some more.

as roger said, the "least inaccurate method" is best. get it breathing hard, park on sidestand, go do something for a while, put on centerstand, check oil level.

these bikes are all over the board when it comes to oil consumption. some just sip oil like they're at an al gore tea party. others are craftily disguised OPEC infiltrates, destined to make us buy more oil than is beyond reasonable.

oil consumption is a crap shoot, which makes it even more fun, so most guys here agree that the "least inaccurate method" is still the safest and most consistent.
put another way: it lies the least.

[wswartzwel]

I usually check mine in the morning before riding..... and at the gas station after paying for my gas...
down on one knee... grab handle bar with right hand.... balance bike (you can feel if the bike wants to fall away or fall towards you) and look at the window. Never have seen a difference whether cold or hot. I have heard people talk about inconsistency when checking the oil... but it has never been an issue on mine. At over 40K mine never uses any between changes, unless I am running 100+ across Oklahoma all day long.

[GotRoad?]

Lazy person that I am, if I can see any oil in the sight glass while the bike's on its sidestand then it's good to go. Gotten to 60K with this strategy, so it can't be too bad a method for keeping tabs on the oil level.

[OwenM]

Someone should tell BMW that it’s unsafe and downright dumb to put the oil sight glass on the same side as the side stand. Since you have to crouch next to the bike and push it up and away from you to get it level, its way too easy to over balance and have the bike fall over. It matters little how big and strong you are, if the bike falls away from you it’s a BIG problem. It has not happened to me, but it makes me nervous every time I check the oil level, good thing my bike uses almost none.
I wonder how many BMW owners have had their bike fall over while checking the oil or at least given themselves a good fright.
My Ducati has the sight glass on the opposite side; if the bike overbalances it falls back onto the stand, much safer in my view.

[Chris Canning]

Yep,put me in the warm it up, and check after 10 minutes camp.

There's a knack of holding the bike upright,and bending down to check the sight glass!!

[chewie]

Originally Posted by Chris Canning

Yep,put me in the warm it up, and check after 10 minutes camp.

There's a knack of holding the bike upright,and bending down to check the sight glass!!

so it's easier to check if you only have one ball?

[1100s nut]

I guess I`m just lucky. I have never had any oil consumption....inconsistent measurements or any issues what so ever....except for what Bill said, 100+ mph for extended periods I use a little. But I just recieved a speeding ticket so I`m coming back earth with regard to speed now. I agree with the right side sight glass and side stand idea. Both of my gasgas`s have right side sight glass.

Lane

[geothepencil]

Just get a Baxley or Harbor Freight Stand/Chock and it won't fall over. Or use the team approach and get an assistant to sit on the bike. And for those who demand perfection, carry a clock level and set it on the bike to make sure you got it straight. Maybe somebody around here already has mirrors on their shoes. All sorts of ways to do this.

geo

[jduke]

BMW replaced the engine in my 1994 R1100RS because they could never get a consistent oil reading. Since then I've used the minimum 30 mile ride, park on sidestand for 10 minutes, put on centerstand for 30 minute approach. Plus the realization that unless there's a puddle of oil under the bike or smoke billowing out the exhaust, it's probably okay.

[AZ-Twin]

Originally Posted by OwenM

Someone should tell BMW that it’s unsafe and downright dumb to put the oil sight glass on the same side as the side stand. Since you have to crouch next to the bike and push it up and away from you to get it level, its way too easy to over balance and have the bike fall over. It matters little how big and strong you are, if the bike falls away from you it’s a BIG problem. It has not happened to me, but it makes me nervous every time I check the oil level, good thing my bike uses almost none.
I wonder how many BMW owners have had their bike fall over while checking the oil or at least given themselves a good fright.
My Ducati has the sight glass on the opposite side; if the bike overbalances it falls back onto the stand, much safer in my view.

Owen, I guess that new Ducati of yours does not have the side stand that automatically flips up when you take the bike's weight off of it? They probably stopped that by now but my 97 M900 has the oil window on the opposite side of the auto retracting side stand. That makes for interesting oil checking as putting the bike back on the side stand is not an option. Putting it on the rear stand is another adventure, it involves a bungee cord from the kick stand to the front brake rotor, or two people.

[Highlander179]

Originally Posted by OwenM

Someone should tell BMW that it’s unsafe and downright dumb to put the oil sight glass on the same side as the side stand. Since you have to crouch next to the bike and push it up and away from you to get it level, its way too easy to over balance and have the bike fall over. It matters little how big and strong you are, if the bike falls away from you it’s a BIG problem. It has not happened to me, but it makes me nervous every time I check the oil level, good thing my bike uses almost none.
I wonder how many BMW owners have had their bike fall over while checking the oil or at least given themselves a good fright.
My Ducati has the sight glass on the opposite side; if the bike overbalances it falls back onto the stand, much safer in my view.

I always park my bike next to the wall in my garage. When bringing the bike to vert, the mirror touches the wall. No fear of it going too far.

[Bigred455]

Any parts store will have a cheap folding mirror. Sit on the bike and use your mirror to view the level. Easy as pie. It will even store under the seat with the tool kit.